Charnel House summary

Entering the Charnel House

In Charnel House by Graham Masterton, we are introduced to the Wallis family, who have recently moved into a grand old house named Charnel House. The house is situated on a cliff overlooking the sea and has a dark, sinister history. Seymour, the head of the family, is a retired engineer, and he's convinced that there's something wrong with the house, that it's alive.

Seymour is convinced that the house is breathing, and he can hear a heartbeat coming from within the walls. His wife, Miranda, and their children, Harry and Rebecca, don't believe him. They think that the strange noises he hears are just the sounds of an old, creaky house. However, soon enough, they begin to realize that there might be some truth to Seymour's claims.

The Dark History of Charnel House

The Wallis family begins to uncover the dark history of Charnel House. They learn that the house was built by a wealthy shipowner in the 18th century, who was rumored to have made a pact with the devil. It's said that he used the house as a place to store the bodies of his enemies, hence the name Charnel House. The family also discovers that the house was constructed from wood salvaged from a shipwreck, possibly explaining the eerie sounds Seymour hears.

As they delve deeper into the history of Charnel House, the Wallis family uncovers a series of gruesome murders that have taken place within its walls. They also learn about the curse that is said to haunt the house, a curse that dooms anyone who lives there. The more they learn, the more the family begins to believe that there is something sinister about their new home.

The House Comes Alive

Strange occurrences start to happen at Charnel House. The family begins to see apparitions, and the heartbeat Seymour hears becomes louder and more insistent. The house seems to be slowly coming alive, and the family is terrified. They try to leave, but the house won't let them. The doors are locked, and the windows are barred. They are trapped inside with whatever malevolent force resides there.

As the family struggles to escape, they are forced to confront the evil that has taken over their home. They realize that the house is not just a building; it is a living entity, fed by the blood and suffering of its inhabitants. The family must fight for their lives against a force that is ancient, powerful, and utterly malevolent.

The Final Confrontation

In the climax of Charnel House, the Wallis family faces a final, terrifying confrontation with the malevolent force that haunts Charnel House. They must uncover the truth about the house's dark past and find a way to break the curse that binds them to it. In a desperate battle for survival, they use all their strength and cunning to outwit the evil that resides within the walls of Charnel House.

As the story reaches its conclusion, the Wallis family manages to escape from Charnel House, but not without significant losses. They leave the house behind, knowing that it will continue to claim victims as long as it stands. Charnel House is a chilling tale of a family's fight against a malevolent force that is both ancient and inescapable.